Our work with artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies aims to advance kidney disease diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Researchers in this area are developing AI-based tools for identifying novel predictors of adverse clinical outcomes, performing translational genomic analysis for biomarker discovery, and creating reliable assessment methods for pathological evaluation in kidney transplant and other kidney diseases.

Researchers associated with this area include:

• Lili Chan, MD
• Girish N Nadkarni, MD, MPH, CPH
• Weijia Zhang, PhD

Our research in this area applies system-level approaches to kidney disease through advanced bioengineering methodologies, including multi-omics technologies, quantitative microscopy, and stem cell-based tissue engineering methods, with the goal of developing precision medicine approaches for kidney diseases.

Researchers associated with this area include:

• Evren Azeloglu,PhD

Our investigators are working to enhance risk stratification and assess therapeutic responses in both acute and chronic kidney disease using electronic medical record data, banked biospecimens, and novel signaling pathway analysis. Our focus in this area of research is to develop enhanced predictive tools and therapeutic options through an improved understanding of cellular homeostasis pathways.

Researchers associated with this area include:

• Steven Coca, DO
• Lili Chan, MD
• Dinushika Mohottige, MD
• Girish N Nadkarni, MD, MPH, CPH
• Jaime Uribarri, MD

The Center for Kidney Disease Innovation focuses on understanding kidney function and disease through advanced methodologies and novel therapeutic targets. Our research in this area includes developing cutting-edge model systems—such as 3D bio-printed kidney tubules and human stem cell-derived kidney organoids—that replicate physiological ion transport and signaling. Our investigators are also exploring diverse areas, including polycystic kidney disease mechanisms, renal cholesterol metabolism in hypertension, cannabinoid effects on kidney function, dietary factors in cardiovascular risk for kidney patients, and addressing health care disparities in kidney care.

The Center’s multidisciplinary approach combines advanced tissue engineering, single nephron physiology, and translational research, all with the aim of driving innovation in kidney disease understanding and treatment.

Researchers associated with the Center for Kidney Disease Innovation include:

• Evren Azeloglu, PhD
• Jonathan Himmelfarb, MD
• Kristin Meliambro, MD
• Mon-Wei Yu, MD

The Kidney Transplant Research Program conducts comprehensive clinical trials focused on improving transplant outcomes and patient care. Our current investigations include evaluating novel therapeutic interventions for preventing delayed graft function, assessing immunosuppressive strategies, including belatacept-based regimens, and exploring anti-rejection treatments such as infliximab induction therapy and C1 esterase inhibitor for antibody-mediated rejection.

The Kidney Transplant Research Program also includes trials for specialized populations, including HIV-positive transplant recipients and pediatric patients, while advancing biomarker research for graft outcome prediction and rejection monitoring. Additional studies focus on preventing complications such as CMV infection, acute severe anemia management, and complement-mediated injury through eculizumab therapy.

Our researchers are investigating the fundamental cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying acute kidney injury and the progression to chronic kidney disease through fibrosis. This includes examining energy depletion and cell death pathways in kidney proximal tubules, with particular focus on fatty acid oxidation regulation, sympathetic nerve activity, and the role of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids in renal fibrogenesis. Our work in this area encompasses diverse disease models, including diabetic kidney disease, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, HIV-associated nephropathy, and immune-mediated glomerulonephritis, with the aim of identifying new therapeutic targets and developing novel drug delivery approaches for both acute and chronic kidney diseases.

Researchers associated with this area include:

• Miguel Fribourg, PhD
• John Cijiang He, MD, PhD
• Kyung Lee, PhD
• Mon-Wei Yu, MD

For this area of research, we focus on developing noninvasive methods to guide immunosuppressive therapy in kidney transplant recipients and increasing our understanding of immune responses in transplant settings. Our studies include identifying biomarkers for monitoring T cell exhaustion and allograft function, the protolerogenic effects of erythropoietin in transplantation, and the role of complement systems in non-antibody mediated kidney diseases. Additionally, our researchers are exploring how exosomes and extracellular vesicles interact with the complement system to modulate immune responses, with the goal of identifying novel therapeutic targets to improve outcomes for patients with immune-mediated diseases.

Researchers associated with this area include:

• Nicholas Chun, MD
• Paolo Cravedi, MD, PhD

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the treatment options are still limited. In our division, several investigators are studying the mechanisms that drive disease progression. We have investigated the role of podocytes, glomerular endothelial cells, tubular cells, and immune cells and their crosstalk in the pathogenesis of DKD. We have identified several potential drug targets and compounds which could be possibly developed as new therapies for DKD. We are also involved in clinical trials to test new therapies for DKD, such as stem cell therapy.

Researchers associated with this area include:

• Steven Coca, DO
• llse Daehn, PhD
• Ye Feng, PhD
• Jia Fu, MD, MS
• John Cijiang He, MD, PhD
• Kyung Kim Lee, PhD
• Ruijie Liu, MD, PhD

Podocyte biology and glomerular disease are the major focus of research in the division. For years we have been investigating how podocyte injury contributes to the development and progression of glomerular diseases such as FSGS. We have developed different models for screening the drugs, including in vitro cultured human podocytes, podocytes cultured on chip, and kidney organoids. We have also been involved in several clinical trials for FSGS, IgA Nephropathy, and Membranous Nephropathy.

Researchers associated with this area include:

• Nanditha Anandakrishnan, PhD
• Evren Azeloglu, PhD
• llse Daehn, PhD
• John Cijiang He, MD, PhD
• Lewis Kaufman, MD
• Kristin Meliambro, MD

Research in renal physiology remains a tradition at Mount Sinai. Dr. Lisa Satlin’s group is one of the very few groups in the world that can perform micropunction and microperfusion of kidney tubules. Together with Dr. Rein, Dr. Satlin’s group has been studying the regulation of potassium and sodium channels in renal physiology and pathology for years.

Researchers associated with this area include:

• Joshua Rein, DO
• Lisa Satlin, MD

Exploring the complex cellular communication networks within the kidney, research in this area focuses on glomerular signaling mechanisms that contribute to diabetic nephropathy and other progressive kidney diseases. Our investigators are examining molecular pathways that govern glomerular injury and podocyte dysfunction, with an emphasis on identifying cell-targeted therapeutic approaches that can protect glomerular cells and prevent chronic kidney disease progression.

Researchers associated with this area include:

• Ilse Daehn, MD
• Lewis Kaufman, MD
• Kristin Meliambro, MD

The Translational Transplant Research Center is a collaborative, multidisciplinary group that performs transplant research with the mission of adapting mechanistic insight gleaned at the bench to improve patient care at the bedside. As one of the nation’s leading centers for translational and clinical studies in organ transplantation, the Center is dedicated to advancing our understanding of transplant immunobiology and training the next generation of transplant biologists.

Researchers associated with the Translational Transplant Research Center Include:

• Paolo Cravedi, MD, PhD
• Nicholas Chun, MD
• Samira Farouk, MD
  
• Miguel Fribourg, PhD
• Jordi Ochando, PhD
• Mon-Wei Yu, MD
• Weijia Zhang, PhD